Kolleen Guy, associate professor of history at Duke Kunshan University, has received a three-year research grant from UNESCO for a project examining how the memory of war connects communities across borders, including through museums, archives and survivor networks.
Guy secured funding from 2026 to 2028 for “Constellations of Memory: Transnational Heritage Networks and the Afterlives of War” through UNESCO’s Transnational Heritage Joint Research Grant program, administered by the Korean National Commission for UNESCO.
She is working with Yujie Zhu of the Australian National University and Jay Winter of Yale University.
“This project examines how the memory of war connects communities across borders. By studying how museums, archives and survivor communities collaborate internationally, we aim to understand how difficult histories can support education, mutual recognition, and responsible global engagement,” Guy said. “At a time when civilian suffering continues in many parts of the world, it is important to explore how remembrance can contribute to understanding, reflection and a more peaceful future.”
Following a competitive pilot phase and formal international review, the project secured full funding. The research will explore how museums, archives, memorials and survivor communities form transnational “constellations of memory”— networks that shape how history is remembered – with a focus on civilian suffering during World War II, particularly on Jewish refugees in Shanghai and transnational networks linked to the history of the “comfort women.”
The initiative is expected to produce a co-authored monograph, peer-reviewed publications, digital mapping tools and public programs that will strengthen DKU’s role in research on history, heritage and transnational cultural dialogue. It will also contribute to the Humanities Research Center’s Heritage Lab at DKU, supporting research and student engagement.
